Text: Mark Sampson. Article from the June 2012 issue of Compleat Golfer Magazine.
A place that was once a ‘fisherman’s paradise’ now a golfer’s dream. Mark Sampson explores the wonders of this Eastern Cape town and all it has to offer for a golfer.
St Francis Bay had always sold itself as a quaint holiday town tucked away about an hour’s drive south of Port Elizabeth and a similar distance north of Knysna. Those who were acquainted with this seaside retreat were all too aware of its charms, but as far as golf was concerned, despite having a number of fine layouts in the area, St Francis was never really regarded as a destination for those who fancy knocking a little white ball into a hole.
All of this changed when 18-time Major winner Jack Nicklaus cast his eye on a piece of duneland not too far from the entrance to the town. The Golden Bear set about creating one of the most remarkable golf courses in the country and no sooner had he completed his task than St Francis announced itself on the golfing map. Were this magnificent golf course located in any of the major urban areas of the country, it would be one of the busiest layouts in the land. Instead, here on the links land of St Francis Bay, adjacent to the Indian Ocean, it is escapism at its very best.
The Nicklaus course has effectively placed the golfing spotlight on this region – and it certainly doesn’t disappoint.
There are two 18-hole golf courses in St Francis Bay itself, The Links and St Francis Bay, and just a chip and a putt away one can enjoy a round on Zwartenbosch (the old Humansdorp course), Jeffreys Bay, Hankey and Fynbos, all of which are fine nine-hole tracks that are worth a visit.
St Francis Bay is a perfect tranquil eco-destination with pristine beaches, mild temperatures and the longest sunshine hours on the South African coast, making it not only an ideal holiday destination, but a perfect golf destination.
It’s also easily accessible, being 15 minutes off the N2 freeway and, together with the famed surfing spot of Jeffreys Bay, makes up a unique part of South Africa’s Kouga Coast, which has quickly become a popular holiday destination for travellers from around the world.
The warm Indian Ocean and the local Krom River offer visitors a variety of water sports, from swimming and surfing to kite-surfing and kayaking. The river is navigable for almost 10 kilometres and is an all-day adventure in itself, while anglers can choose to fish the surf, river or marina waters. The town, affectionately referred to as ‘the village’, is visually pleasing with its uniformly similar housing, almost Greek in style, all interspersed with indigenous milkwood and coastal bush. Having numerous restaurants and retail outlets, it caters for all members of the family. Regardless of your location in South Africa, with all the flight specials around, we reckon this destination should be a priority on your list.
St Francis Bay Golf Club
This was the first course to be built in St Francis and dates back to the late ’60s when the town’s ‘pioneer’, Leighton Hulett, decided the area needed a further attraction and began building a nine-hole private golf course.
The task was only completed in the mid-’70s and included design help from Bob Grimsdell, who designed courses such as Mowbray, Durban Country Club and Hans Merensky Country Club.
In December 1976, the club saw the election of its first committee and was officially named ‘The Cape St Francis Golf Club’. In the early 1980s the village changed its name to St Francis Bay, and accordingly the club changed to ‘St Francis Bay Golf Club’. Over time, the fairways changed from being sandy to lush grass, partly due to a local farmer showing how advantageous it would be to add fertiliser to them.
It was over this period, before an additional nine holes were built in 1997, that the coursed was labelled one of the best nine-hole courses in the Eastern Cape. Conditioning is something that has improved immensely over the years, and now its condition is kept pristine all year round with the help of its highly skilled green-keeping staff. The par-four 12th is a particularly impressive hole that has wrecked many a scorecard.
Email, tel 042 294 0467.
St Francis Links
The Links, as it is affectionately known, was opened in 2006, adding another impressive option to the St Francis Bay golfing menu.
The layout was designed by none other than Jack Nicklaus, who has since described the course as one of the best he has ever seen.
“The Nicklaus course has effectively placed the golfing spotlight on this region – and it certainly doesn’t disappoint.”
Nicklaus carved the layout from the dunes and coastal fynbos in the area and created various contours on the land. The large greens are all surrounded by thick coastal bush, and when the wind gets up you would be well advised to carry extra balls in your bag, although Jeff Clause and his team have done much work recently to make the course more playable for the average golfer.The undulating layout plays havoc with club selection, but at the same time the course offers great views of the town and the ocean below.
A professional team of staff will welcome you and complete an experience you will not forget, regardless of how many balls are lost. The additional facilities offered by the club include spa treatments for the ladies, professional conference facilities and St Francis Links is much sought after as a wedding venue.
Email, tel 042 200 4500.
Zwartenbosch Golf and Lifestyle Estate
The original Humansdorp golf course had to be moved in the early 1990s, at which stage it was redesigned by none other than Gary Player. It is a nine-hole course with 18 different tee-boxes, making for an enjoyable experience as you incorporate all 18 variants.
Apart from the opening and closing holes, which are undulating, it is a flat parkland course with scenic views of the Zwarte Mountain that forms part of the Tsitsikamma mountain range.
With a number of natural springs on the course, water is never a problem and the course remains in good condition year round.
A redesign is currently in progress by renowned designer Phil Jacobs, who has been involved in the design of over 40 courses around the world. The objective is to maintain its natural beauty while instilling a links feel to the course with subtle water features. Measuring a respectable 6 078 metres for the men, it is a fully-fledged course that is coming into its own.
The clubhouse includes a large dining area – that serves a great breakfast – well-stocked bar area and clean, modern change-rooms.
Future amenities are to include professional conference facilities within a business complex, health hydro and spa, tennis and squash courts as well as a swimming pool.
With a boomed secure entrance, the estate, when completed, is set to rival the best SA has to offer.
Email, tel 042 291 0569.
Additional Courses
• Fynbos Golf and Country Estate
This is a must-play nine-hole course situated about 45 minutes south along the N2 from St Francis Bay. As you overlook the village of Eerste River on the northern border of Tsitsikamma National Park, the views become breathtaking. The course was designed by Mark Muller under the watchful eyes of John Bland and Mark Wiltshire and the objective was to create an enjoyable and player-friendly course. Make no mistake, this does not mean it is easy. Look out for the wetland area, which makes up one of the main features on the course.
Email, tel 042 285 0321.
• Hankey GC
If you take a 45-minute drive from St Francis Bay through Humansdorp along the R331, you will arrive at one of the country’s most underrated nine-hole golf courses. Designed by Allen Brooks in 1966, and based in the Gamtoos valley, this is a great alternative course when the wind blows in St Francis. It has nine holes with alternative tee-boxes allowing it to play as a par 72, and at 5 785 metres, this parkland layout is not too long, and therefore suits the more accurate golfer as it meanders its way through the valley.
Email, tel 042 284 0335.
If the perfect J-Bay wave is not up to standard, then this Piet Vermaak-designed course should be visited for a round of golf. This parkland layout was opened in 1976 and is made up of nine holes with double tees to make up the 18, totalling 5 789 metres in length. It is less than a 30-minute drive from St Francis back towards Port Elizabeth.
Email, tel 042 293 2532.
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